Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber first came sliding onto the music scene with his hit song “Baby.” Bieber had all the makings of the next teen idol including a strong falsetto and cute baby face. As he went through his teen years into his early twenties, Bieber had many other hits like “What Do You Mean” and “Sorry.”
Girls were, and still are, wild about Bieber, creating a fanbase affectionately called “Beliebers.” Over the last ten years, Bieber has continued to be one of the most listened to artists and one of the most reported-on public figures. He found true love with model Haily Baldwin. The two tied the knot in September 2018 and they appear to still be going strong.
Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond’s career launch began as a family affair when he appeared, along with his brothers, as a part of the “The Osmonds” music group in 1971. By the 1970s he went solo and quickly rose to fame with his thousand-watt smile and captivating voice.
Donny had several big tracks, including “Go Away Little Girl” and “Soldier of Love” Osmond may have lost the teen idol status as he grew older, but he’s still considered one of the most affable and recognizable faces in the entertainment world. Until today, the icon has remained active and appeared in shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Masked Singer” as well as a handful of film projects.
Molly Ringwald
Molly Ringwald made her first appearance on screen in the 1979 show, "Different Strokes" and later on the show “The Facts of Life.” She soon became the "it" girl of the 80s and starred in cult classics like “Sixteen Candles,” “Pretty in Pink,” and “The Breakfast Club,” to name a few.
She was beloved by fans for her vulnerable, authentic, and relatable performances. And while Ringwald's story didn't simply end in the '80s, it's safe to say that she is another child actor success story, having only had brief breaks in her career into adulthood. She also landed a role in the Gen Z teen show "Riverdale."
Backstreet Boys
The ‘90s were peppered with boybands and, along with NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys led the way. They debuted their first album, “The Backstreet Boys,” in 1996 and “Backstreet’s Back” in the following year. The harmonized melodies, the coordinating outfits, the perfectly gelled hair, and the smoldering photo shoots all culminated to create the perfect teen idol ensemble.
Teens sang their songs and bought their records and merchandise, making the group very lucrative. With over 100 million in record sales, the Backstreet Boys are the most commercially successful boy band of all time. They continue to tour together to this day.
David Cassidy
David Cassidy (half-brother to Shaun and Patrick Cassidy) rose to fame in 1970 as Keith Partridge on the musical TV show “The Partridge Family.” A natural performer, Cassidy won over audiences with his floppy hair and winning smile. He provided backup vocals for singer George Michael but also focused on his own music, releasing albums like “Old Trick New Dog” and “Then and Now.” Though he was talented and successful early on in life, Cassidy struggled with the overwhelming pressure of being a teen icon which ultimately led to substance abuse problems later in life.
David continued to write new music and tour, right up until he became gravely sick in 2017. He had extensive liver and kidney damage as well as dementia and, while he was awaiting a liver transplant, the singer passed away at the age of sixty-seven.